Last Updated on January 20, 2022
Most people want independence, and people of all ages strive for their independence. But as we age, our movements can become slower, our mobility can suffer, and we may have age-related diseases that also may lead to a feeling of not having one’s own autonomy. Many seniors aging in place understand the difficulty of older adults maintaining independence.
Read on to learn more about senior independence month, as well as some tips to help maintain independence.
What Is National Senior Independence Month?
Each February is National Senior Independence Month, and it’s a time to reflect on how seniors can continue to maintain their independence, particularly if they are aging in place at home with independent living.
Many of the tips for maintaining independence come from senior advocacy groups, such as Seniors Speak Out, and other seniors who are independent and willing to share some of their advice. It is also a time for others to reflect on not taking independence and mobility for granted.
National Senior Independence Month: What Are Some Ways to Maintain Independence?
If you or the person you are caring for is struggling with mobility or safety issues, installing mobility products, such as stairlifts and safety features around the home, helps someone maintain independence in their own home. Some other things that can help keep senior independence include:
- Embrace technology. Learning how to use talk-to-text on a smartphone or successfully use a GPS are just two examples of how to maintain independence. Also, you can use the internet to find events in your area of interest, giving the person the ability to get out of the house and be social.
- Declutter. Clutter is chaotic, and it can have an effect on someone’s mind, perhaps contributing to them feeling down and boxed in. It can be tough to declutter because it’s tough to know where to begin, but this is why several people could help a senior declutter their house. It’s also a safety issue—clutter in hallways and stairwells can lead to accidents.
- Strive for health in mind and body. Try something new, such as yoga (there is also chair yoga for those in a wheelchair). Exercising and maintaining a healthy diet is important at any age but especially important for seniors. Exercise doesn’t have to be high-impact cardio—it can be going for a brisk walk around the neighborhood several times a week. The important thing is to get outside and get moving.
National Senior Independence Month: Ways to Celebrate
If you are a caregiver or have a loved one who is aging in place, there are a few things you can do throughout National Senior Independence Month for your loved one. Scrapbooking some memories is a great idea, as well as spending time with your elderly loved ones.
If you don’t have anyone you’re caring for directly but still want to celebrate, nursing homes and other senior facilities are always looking for volunteers to visit seniors.
To learn more about National Senior Independence Month or to learn about life-changing mobility products that can make aging in place much more seamless, contact us today at Williams Lift Co. We want both our patients and their caregivers to live their best lives possible.